When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Pulled the AC and rear glass out of my 77 and put in a pop out rear window from a chrome bumper car. It's not AC ....but surprisingly it's very comfortable even in the hot temps with the windows down and the rear glass out.
Then re glassed back half the hole in the firewall and in its place went a heater box from a non AC car. Rewired to not be on all the time as original, but only when needed. Very happy with it.
Curious.... why did you have to glass the firewall if you used the cover from a non-AC car? Wouldn't that cover the hole completely once you removed the AC cover? Was it because you swapped out the stock heater core for an AC heater core? Is there a difference? If I remove my AC components at the firewall and leave the heater core couldn't I just purchase a non-AC cover and install the blower motor into it and bolt it to the firewall or do I have to replace the core with a non-AC core? I didn't know there was a difference.
Curious.... why did you have to glass the firewall if you used the cover from a non-AC car? Wouldn't that cover the hole completely once you removed the AC cover? Was it because you swapped out the stock heater core for an AC heater core? Is there a difference? If I remove my AC components at the firewall and leave the heater core couldn't I just purchase a non-AC cover and install the blower motor into it and bolt it to the firewall or do I have to replace the core with a non-AC core? I didn't know there was a difference.
My mistake, I should have mentioned that the heater box that I used came out of a 69, needing a much smaller opening, but I would think that what you mention above should work.
I took all my AC stuff out. Here in NE Ohio it doesn't get too hot for that many days. The advantage of more room and less stuff to maintain were my reasons. I haven't regretted it. :
I pulled mine out. All the hoses were rotten, the condenser had a hole in it, and the compressor was seized up. I checked the cost of replacing the original components vs the cost of a Vintage Air system- not much difference. I pulled all the under hood components and kept them "just in case". I intend to eventually put in a Vintage Air system.
I pulled mine out. All the hoses were rotten, the condenser had a hole in it, and the compressor was seized up. I checked the cost of replacing the original components vs the cost of a Vintage Air system- not much difference. I pulled all the under hood components and kept them "just in case". I intend to eventually put in a Vintage Air system.
How did you manage to remove outer heater box to remove the condenser? As I understand the heater core is at the bottom at the passenger side.
My '79 never came with it, so I never really missed having it. What's interesting now is trying to find a replacement heater control faceplate - they are all AC face plates.
Everything from the engine side except for one nut from the inside. It came out easy. Heater core remains. Didnt have to touch it.
I've tried to remove it (although a long time ago) but my headers were getting in the way as I remember. Where is the nut on the inside? Behind passenger side dash?
Would I? yes...but the answer to this question is going to be different to each person and each car,
I won't paint a broad subject with a pin stripe brush,
Is the factory AC intact and working?
IF yes, then sure I would agree leave it there and detail it,
Is the factory AC there but hasn't worked since who knows when then it would be 100% the desires of the owner if they leave it or ditch it.
I see no reason for a driver car that has been/is being modded to worry about hanging on to old likely defunct long ago antiquated factory AC parts,
"IF" a person wants AC in a C3 and they are starting with a car with no ac or missing parts or that has been sitting not working for years whether purists likes it or not the simple truth is aftermarket AC will likely be cheaper and will work better than trying to get the old factory set up to work correctly,
As far as value of the car, while a 77 4 speed car is pretty darn cool unless pristine and or low miles etc etc then it just might just be worth more modded than the same car stock but tired, toss in aftermarket AC and most buyers would be very happy while I do see many people on here say their factory AC works great most c3's I see for sell short of pristine cars will admit AC problems.
So if you do not want the AC on YOUR car take it off....
"IF" a person wants AC in a C3 and they are starting with a car with no ac or missing parts or that has been sitting not working for years whether purists likes it or not the simple truth is aftermarket AC will likely be cheaper and will work better than trying to get the old factory set up to work correctly,
This is exactly where I am. I am completely conflicted. The A/C system is complete, I spent about $50 getting the blower motor to blow again, but I'm worried about going down an expensive road of retrofitting the existing system to R134a and being disappointed with the results. The A/C hasn't worked in at least 12 years.... BUT its all there. I live in Las Vegas where it gets hot enough to care about.
[QUOTE=AboveTheLogic;1590224785]This is exactly where I am. I am completely conflicted. The A/C system is complete, I spent about $50 getting the blower motor to blow again, but I'm worried about going down an expensive road of retrofitting the existing system to R134a and being disappointed with the results. The A/C hasn't worked in at least 12 years.... BUT its all there. I live in Las Vegas where it gets hot enough to care about.[/QUOTE
I will also go along the vintage air system if I decide to keep my car. The old system wasn't blowing at all. It was clogged to hell and the hoses snapped once due to vibration or wathever and only the hoses would cost a lot, let alone new evaporator etc.
How did you manage to remove outer heater box to remove the condenser? As I understand the heater core is at the bottom at the passenger side.
You're thinking of the Evaporator, which is in the heater box. What I removed was the Condenser, which is in front of the radiator. I left the Evaporator in place for now.
AC has zero to do with being a wuss or a girly-man sounds like some fellows are having questions about their manhood and need a car to better express it for them what they are lacking.
Originally Posted by AboveTheLogic
This is exactly where I am. I am completely conflicted. The A/C system is complete, I spent about $50 getting the blower motor to blow again, but I'm worried about going down an expensive road of retrofitting the existing system to R134a and being disappointed with the results. The A/C hasn't worked in at least 12 years.... BUT its all there. I live in Las Vegas where it gets hot enough to care about.
I do sympathize with the die hard purist who is stuck with the antiquated factory ac set up,
But on the other side of that I have seen many a die hard purist run aftermarket AC.
I do not build my car all worried what it will be worth or if some mod will knock $$$ off it's value, that's a them and then problem not a me and now problem, all I care about is building the car I desire for me and my wife to enjoy at the moment.
In your case 12 plus years of it not working can't we about bet every rubber hose seal and part is shot?
To convert a stock style properly does take time and money, I guess if I was in your shoes I would see if I could find a trustworthily ac shop, I know like finding fangs in a chicken,
Find out just what it would cost to convert and get it working correctly then take that figure vs a new modern better working better cooling aftermarket set up, personally I would never spend more than a couple 100 to keep the old system working,
But if the old system worked I would try to keep it working, for me it's pros vs cons and bang for buck.
My 69 didnt come with ac and in a way I am happy because 98% of cars in the condition/price range of mine when I got it have non working ac and then I would have been on fences too....
Any A/C shop I've used in my area would blow through $200-$300 very quickly without a definite answer of what the situation is.
I have grown fairly reasonable at working on car A/C systems. I have a vacuum pump and a set of manifold gauges. I probably just need to roll the dice on conversion kit with the seals and junk and see if I can put some R134a in it and get it working before dropping $700-$800+ on a vintage air system. I just have a hard time investing the time on a gamble.
I guess I'm digressing from the point of the thread, but maybe not. This conversation should show you that there are guys out there like me, in hot climates, who care about A/C.... although I agree with the mindset that it is my car and I'll do what suites me now, not what suits a potential buyer later who would give me nowhere what I have into it with parts and my own labor alone.
:
AC has zero to do with being a wuss or a girly-man sounds like some fellows are having questions about their manhood and need a car to better express it for them what they are lacking.